Sheet feeding mechanism



Dec. 30, 1941. P. E. PEARSON SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM s Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed May 11, 1940 Dec. 30, 194 1.

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Dec. 30, 1941. P. E. PEARSON SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM Original Filed May 11, 1940 fA nswro/r array/vans Dec. 30, 1941. P. E. PEARSON I SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM 5 m w 5 m 6 n w WENJKW. h an 7 1f ar Lg gw nm Nm E? WM an A 1 m %\N m It fix: g E an v EQ Original Filed May 11, 1940 Dec. 30, 1941. p. so 2,268,300

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM Original Filed May 11, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ?atented Dec. 30, 1941 EEIEET panama Paul E. Pearson, @hicagc, iii, assignor to (Cantinsntal Gan @ompany,

Eno New York, N. lis'a carpet-ration of New iijaiti Originai application ilday 11,, 3.9463, genial No.

334M351. EBivided and this application January 21, ran, serial No. assist l7 @lalms. The invention relates generally to sheet feeding mechanism wherein are provided means for delivering sheets one at a time to machine structures such as lithographing or sheet slitting machines, pneumatically actuated sheet gripper de-'.

vices for lifting sheets one at a time from a pack maintained at a level for being engaged by said devices and presenting the lifted sheets to said delivering means, and means for lifting the pack to and maintaining it at said elevation, and said 1 invention primarily seeks to provide novel means for lifting the sheet packs to and maintaining them at the level from which. they are fed. This application constitutes a division of my co-pending parent application entitled Sheet feeding '15 mechanism, filed Mayll, 1940, Serial Number 334,657.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated embodying novel means for supporting a pack of sheets and novel '20 means for imparting rapid traverse movement to said supporting lmeans upwardly to the effective, sheet presenting position, or downwardly, to a position for receiving a replenished pack supply, said last named means including a driv-.

ing motor, a reversible clutch, and novel means for shifting the clutch to a neutral position each time said supporting means attains its upper effective or lower limit position.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for automatically lifting the pack of sheets through small increments of movement so as to constantly present the uppermost sheet of the pack in position for being engaged by the gripping and lifting units.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine embodying traverse movement imparting equipment including a reversible clutch and actuator means therefor, and means for automatically locking the actuator means against movement during automatic feeding of the pack for presenting the uppermost sheets successively in position for being engaged by the gripping units.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel sheet pack position controlling means and devices for rendering said means ineffective during the imparting of rapid traverse movement upwardly or downwardly to the pack or the pack supporting means.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for automatically presenting the uppermost sheets of the pack successively in position for being engaged by the gripper units and including' novel ratchet and pawl devices and autcmatically operable means for releasing the pawl from the ratchet each time the proper height of the pack has been attained.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character stated in which is included pack supporting means, means including a motor for lifting and lowering the supporting means to and. from pack presenting positions, novel means including ratchet and pawl devices for lifting the pack to successively present uppermost sheets thereof for engagement by lifting devices, and manually operable means for releasing said pawl and automatically starting said motor.

with these and other objects in view which will more fully appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by following the description, the appended claims, and the seyeral views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a front elevation, broken away and in section.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary upper left side elevation, parts being broken away and insectlon. I Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical cross section illustrating the driving connections for the cam shaft-and the feed roll shaft.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical section illustrating the feeder pawl position controlling means.

Figure 5 is a left side elevation of the parts shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical parts being cross section illustrating the position of the sheet pack lift controlling switch.

Figure 7 is a detail longitudinal section illustrating th reversible clutch structure.

Figure 8 is a detail vertical cross section taken on the line 8-8 on Figure 7.

In the example of embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, 5 designates the skid platform on which the pack 5 of sheets to be fed are supported. In the mounting of these skids and sheet packs in proper cooperative relation with the feeding devices of the machine the individual skid platforms are rolled into place in the machine over rollways I which are engaged by the laterally spaced, longitudinally disposed supporting legs 8 depending from the skid platforms.

The lateral edges of the platforms 5 overlie rollways 9 which are disposed longitudinally on the ..shaped lifting and lowering frame It! and facilitate mounting and removal of said platforms, the frame Ill being open at the front in the manner best illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. I e

Four lifting and lowering chains II are provided and each is secured at its lower end as at I2 at one of the four corners of the frame I5. Each chain passes over a sprocket l3, two such sprockets being secured upon each of the two shafts M which are disposed in parallel spaced relation one along each-upper side of the ma-' chine framing. Each shaft i4 is rotatable in bearings l5 provided therefor in a longitudinal end framing unit I5, and each .of theseframe units is supported at its front end on a corner post or standard l1, and at the rear, indirectly, on framing generally designated it, each said unit being secured as at is to a housing unit structure 25 which is in turn supported by said framing II. The housing units 25 serve as supporting means for a rear cross frame member 2| which is secured as at 22 to said housing units.

Each shaft ll has a worm wheel 23 secured and is rotatably supported in bearings 24 pro,- vided insaid housing 25. A cross shaft 25 is rotatably supported at its ends in suitable bearings provided therefor in the housing units 25, and within each housing this cross shaft carries a worm gear 25 which meshes with the re-v spective worm wheel 23. The shaft 25 extends beyond the housing unit 25 at the left side of the machine and has a ratchet wheel 21 aiilxed thereto. It will be obvious that as rotation is imparted to the ratchet wheel 21. it will be transmitted through the shaft '25 and the worm sears aiilxedthereon to the worm wheels 23 and the shafts H on which they are mounted. Rotation of the shafts I5 in one direction or the other will serve to lift or lower the chains H and the skid platform 5 and sheet pack 5 supported on the supporting frame III. The power transmitting connections just referred to serve to impart rotation to the shaft ll in a direction for lifting the chains only and the means for imparting movement to the ratchet wheel 21 and the means for imparting rotation to the shaft 25 in the opposite direction for effecting a lowering of the supporting frame It will be described in detail hereinafter.

I At the rear of the machine there is mounted a sheet pack limiting wall generally designated 23 and best indicatedin Figure l of the drawings.

Each housing unit 25 includes upper and lower shaft bearings 25 and 35, and the housing unit at the right side of the machine includes a shaft bearing 3| disposed between the bearings 29 and 35.

A cam shaft 32 is rotatably supported in the aligned bearings 25 in the housing units 23 and carries a gear 33 to which rotation is imparted by a smaller gear 34 secured upon a driver shaft 35 rotatably supported in the housing unit bearing 3|, the shaft 35 being driven through a bevel gear couple 35 from any suitable power input source, preferably from the sheet slitting machine or a lithographing or other machine to which the sheet feeding machine is connected in cooperative relation.

The driver shaft 35 also carries a larger gear 31 which meshes with and drives a small gear upon the lower end of a vertically disposed actuator shaft 55 forming a part of the master pneumatic control valve generally designated 51 and which is secured upon and centrally of the cross frame member 2| previously referred to.

The shaft 33 is disposed just behind the rear limit wall 25. and an intermediate bearing 53 isv provided for centrally supporting this shaft. A plurality ,of .pulleys 49 are secured to and spaced along the shaft 39 and the peripheries of these pulleys extend above the level of the-upper edge of the wall 25. Two upper roll and guide supporting rolls 55 'also are secured upon this thereon within the respective housing unit 2|) shaft and .one is disposed between" the pulleys 43 at opposite sides of the center bearing 45. This shaft also carries a gage roll 5| which is secured adjacent the center of said shaft and close to the central supporting bearing 45.

The. driven sheet feeding rolls are opposedv by drop rolls 52 carried by crank arm equipments 53 one of which is actuated by the roll separator cam 4| to effect an alternate lifting of the rolls 52 to receive a sheet therebeneath and droppin of said rolls 52 to effect a feeding away of said sheet. The sheets thus fed are delivered from the machine on tapes or belts 54 which pass over the pulleys l9, and the gage roll 5| is opposed by a detector or gage roll 55 which, together with the detector cam 52, forms a part of a double sheet detecting and ejecting mechanism disclosed in detail in the parent application hereinbefore referred to and forms no part of the invention claimed herein. e

A shaft 55 traverses the machine toward the rear and above the sheet pack and is rockably v cam 43. Gripper unit supporting arms 55 depend in aligned pairs from the shafts 55 and 55 and are held in parallel relation by gripper unit carrying links 55 pivotally connected thereto as at 55. Each of the links 55 includes a split clamp collar 51 for removably securing and supporting a sheet gripping and lifting unit generally designated 55.

In addition to the sheet feeding gripper units 58 just above referred to, four intermediate grippers 59 are provided for lifting and holdin sheets as they are being fed, thereby to prevent scratching of said sheets by dragging them over the underlying pack. These intermediate grippers are swingably mounted as at I3, so that they can swing (freely in the direction in which the sheets are being fed, and are returned to their initial position after each sheet feeding move- 35 secured upon a sheet feed roll shaft 35 rotatably supported in the aligned housing unit bearings 35. The shaft 35 also carries a sprocket or ment by spring equipments 1|. Sheet lifting gripper units generally designated I2 are provided at the front end of the machine adjacent the Standards l1, and theseunits serve to lift e,ece,soo

Upon the free ends of side hanger reds it? piv- "otaliy mounted on the framing is supported a cross shaft or tube i l, the latter being secured as at 35 to the free ends of said rods. Suitable rigid supporting means it serves hold the U=shaped frame formed by the members 03 and H a definite distance above the pack of sheets. The shaft or tube M carries a clamp sleeve ll near each end and each sleeve includes a rearwardly extending clamp collar having a gripper unit receiving bore therein disposed at a slight angle with respect to the vertical so that the axis of the units clamped in the collars converge in= wardly and rearwardly, or inwardly and in the direction in which the sheets are led. Each sleeve ll also includes a pair of forwardly directed clamp collars it having bores therein for receiving and securely clamping a pair or air blast tubes is. One tube of each pair termimates in a vertically dmposed nozzle 86 positioned for directing a blast of air against the sheets at the upper portion of the pack, and the other tube of each pair terminates at a slightly higher level in a horizontally disposed air blast nozzle 8| similarly directedtoward the upper extremity 4 of the pack. In addition to those just described, a pair of air blast nozzles (not shown) may be suitably supported at the rear upper side portion of the pack for directing blasts of air against the upermost sheets of the pack at'that portion also.

The tube or shaft I4 also supports two or more intermediately disposed clamp sleeves 82 for each of which a guide plate 83 depends in position for engaging the edges of the sheets at the upper portion of the pack and retaining the desired spaced relation between said sheet edge portion and the nozzles 80, 8!.

During the operation of the machine the pack of sheets is automatically lifted through small increments of movement to constantly present the uppermost sheet of the pack at a proper elevation for being engaged by the gripper units. When almost all of the sheets of a pack have been fed one by one therefrom, it becomes desirable' to mount a new pack in the machine, and in order to accomplish this it is necessary to provide a. temporary support for the small number of sheets yet remaining in the pack and to lower the pack skid supporting frame to a position for receiving a fresh skid and pack and to return the supporting frame to an elevated position for presenting the newly supplied pack in cooperative relation with the gripping elements.

In the machine herein disclosed, means is employed for accomplishing this lowering and lifting of the skid and pack supporting frame by rapid traverse movements. The normal lifting of a pack through small increments of movement is accomplished by rotation of the camshaft 32 and the cross shaft 25, power being applied to these shafts from an outside source as previously described. The means for imparting the rapid traverse movements just referred to include an individual motor and reversible clutch equipment which will now be described.

A motor 84 is secured'as at 85. to depend from a reversible clutch unit generally designated 06 which is in turn mounted as at 81 on the machine framing.

Any suitable reversible clutch unit may be em ployed and the one herein illustrated includes a driver shaft fid'rotatable in bearings 89 in the casing or housing and driven by sprocket and chain connections 80 from the shaft of the motor-86. The unit also includes a driven shaft Q! rotatable in bearings 92 provided therefor in the casing, and this shaft has sprocket and chain connection 93 with the worm shaft 25 hereinbefore referred to so that the rotation imparted in one direction or the other to the shaft M will be transmitted to the shaft 25 for effecting a relatively rapid lifting or lowering of the chains H which pass over the sprockets I3 so cured upon the shafts it hereinbefore described.

A large spur gear 96 is loosely mounted on the shaft fl! and is constantly driven by a small pinion 93 on the driver shaft M. A smaller spur gear 98 is loosely mounted on the shaft 9i and is constantly driven in a direction opposite the direction or rotation of the gear 9 3 by an idlergear til supported on the unit housing and enmeshed wlth the gear 95 and with the gear 93 secured upon the shaft 83. 7

Each of the gears 96 and Q4 carries a clutch head portion 39, and these head portions are selectively engaged by a clutch element I00 splined at II" on the shaft M. The clutch head I00 is shifted in one direction or the other on the shaft 9| by a shifter fork I02 secured to a shaft I03 rockably mounted in" the unit casing and which is extended outside the casing and equipped with an actuator crank I04. The crank I04 is link-connected as at I05 with the central vertical arm I06 ofa 3-arm actuator lever. The

. lever includes two arms extended in opposite,

generally horizontal directions and one of these arms I01 ispivotally connected as at I08 with a vertically disposed slidable control bar I00 which is slide-guided as at H0 and includes an outwardly extended top lug III and a similarly extended bottom lug H2. The lugs III and III are presented for engagement by the pack supporting skid at upper and lower limits of its travel.

The other generally horizontal arm H3 of the lever is link-connected as at II4 with a crank member H5 secured upon an actuator shaft H6 rockably supported as at ill on the aflixed thereto, and this plate is provided with a vertically disposed latching recess I20 which is vertically, centrally disposed and open at tho bottom.

A thrust link I2I having crank connection with the shaft 32, as by connection with the forwarding cam 43 as at I22, is connected to one arm I23 of a. bell crank lever which is osclllatable about the shaft 25 on which the ratchet wheel 2'! is affixed. The other arm I24 of the bell crank lever has a ratchet wheel engaging pawl I25 pivoted at its free end, and it will be.obvi ous that when the bell crank lever I23, I24 is oscillated with the pawl in engagement with the ratchet wheel 27, increments of movement will be imparted to the shaft 25, and from it to the pack lifting chains I3 in the manner hereinbcfore described.

A housing I26 is secured as at I21 to the machine framing, and a 'pawl position controlling rod I28 is vertically reciprocable in bearings I20 provided in said housing. The rod is connected with the pawl l25 by a link I55 which is pivoted to the rod as at I5I and slot and pin connected as at I 52 to said pawl.

The rod I25 is secured as at I55 to the upper end of the core I54 of a solenoid I55, the lower end of said core being connected to a link I55 which is slot and pin connected as at I51 to a switch actuator rod I55.

The switch actuator rod I55 is vertically slidable in bearings I55 provided in the housing and has a pin I45 projected therefrom for engagement in the fork end of a crank member I rockably mounted as at I42 on the housing and having an actuator handle I45 secured thereto. The handle I45 is equipped with a spring detent I44 releasably insertable in receiving recesses provided in the housing for the purpose of securing the rod in its raised or lowered position. the lowered position of the rod being illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings. The rod I55 also carries a pair of adjustably spaced switch actuator fingers I45 engageable with a switch actuator I45 rockably mounted at I41 and engageable with stop and start buttons of a' switch I45 connected in the power circuit I45 serving the motor 54. Thus each time the rod I55 is lowered to the position illustrated'in Figure 5 of the drawings, it will close the switch I45 and start operation of the motor 54, and when this I rod is raised the operation of this motor will be automatically stopped.

The rod I55 also carries a switch actuator fork I55 engageable with the actuator lever I5I of a switch I52 connected in the circuit connections I55 serving the solenoid I55.

A collar I54 is secured centrally of the cross shaft or tube 14 and carries a bracket I55 equipped with a cylinder I55 having a bore I51 in which a valve plunger I55 is vertically slidable. The plunger is threaded at its upper end and carries a stop collar I 55. The bracket also includes a lug portion I55 vertically spaced from and overlying the upper end of the cylinder and which has a threaded bore in which a socket plug I5I is adjustably mounted. A compression spring I52 is interposed between the plug I5I and the upper end of the plunger and normally holds the plunger down at the lower limit of its movement determined by thestop collar I55.

, The cylinder includes a pair of aligned cross ports I55 one of which connects at one side with apressure line I54 from a suitable source of air pressure and the other of which connects with a pressure 'line I55 leading to a control valve. The plunger also includes a cross duct I55 and a longitudinal side recess I51 which normally communicates between the pressure plunger. The plunger terminates at its lower end in a stirrup I14 which carries a roller I15 adapted to be engaged by the uppermost sheet of the sheet pack 5.

Aswitch I15 in which the contacts are separated or in circuit breaking relation is mounted on the bracket I55 directly above the plunger "I. The contacts of this switch are normally held separated by engagement of the plunger "I. This switch is connected in the power circuit lines I55 which serve the solenoid I55 and, as stated, the circuit is normally broken through this switch except when the plunger "I is lowered by reduction of the predetermined top level of the sheet pack by feeding of individual sheets therefrom. When the plunger is thus lowered it will permit the switch contacts to engage and complete the solenoid energizing circuit. Each time the top level of the pack is reduced below the predetermined level by the feeding of individual sheets therefrom, the plunger "I will be lowered a sufficient distance to permit the switchcontacts to close and complete the circuit which energizes the solenoid I55 and thereby effect a re-engagement of thepawl with the ratchet wheel 21 so that the pack will be fed upwardly a sufficient distance to again effect a breaking of the solenoid energizing circuit and another retraction of the pawl, it being understood that each time the solenoid energizing circuit is broken the rod I25 will fall by gravity and effect a retraction of the pawl.

It will be noted by reference to Figure 5 of the drawings that the rod I25 carries a latch lug I11 which engages the lower bearing I25 and limits downward movement of the rod whenering the pack in rapid traverse movement while the normal lifting of the pack by small increments and the feeding of sheets therefrom is proceeding.

The pressure line I connects with the lower upon the frame adjacent the shaft I I5. A piston I15 is vertically reciprocable in the cylinder and is attached to a plunger I55 which extends upline I55 and a venting duct I55 'opening'laterally through the cylinder wall. It will-be obvious that when the plunger is lifted against the action of the spring I52 the cross port I55 will open communication between the cross ducts I55 of the cylinder-and allow air pressure to flow from the line I54 into the line I55.

At its lower end the plunger carries a lihder no at bracket member I55 having a cy its lower end in the axial bore of which a plunger 'I1I is vertically slidable. The plunger "I hasa limited amount of vertical movement in the bore of the cylinder I15, and movement in the upward direction is resisted by a compression spring I12 surrounding the plunger within the cylinder. The amount of movement of the plunger in both directions is limited by abut- -ment heads I15 threadably mounted on the wardly from the cylinder and has slot and pin connection at I5I with a crank I52 secured upon the clutch control sh'aft I I5. Whenever the pack is lifted high enough to cause the plunger port I55 to register with the cross ports I55 in the control cylinder I55, as by initial lifting of the pack by the rapid traverse lifting equipments. air pressure flowing through the lines I54 and 155 will force the piston I15 upwardly, and the upward movement of the plunger I55 will actuate the crank I52 to rock the shaft- I I5 and shift the clutch to neutral.

In operation, in the initial loadins of the machine, a slam l-having a sheet pack thereon'is rolled over the railways 1 into position over the C-shaped supporting frame I5 and withthe pack 5 against the rear limiting wall 25. By adiusting the handle I45 the machine attendant can depress the rods I25 and I55. It will be understood that when these rods are depressed the] end of a pivotally mounted cylinder I15 secured a azcasoo 5 the ratchet wheel 27. Depression of the rod I38 actuates the switch 52 to break the circuit through the solenoid energizing circuit I 53 and will also actuate the switch I48 for automatically closing the motor control circuit I49 and setting the motor 84 into operation.

By now manually actuating one of the control handles II8 toward the left, as viewed in Figure 1 of the drawings, the rock shaft H6 and the crank and link connections H5, H4, H3, I88, )5, I84 and, I82 will be actuated so as to properly shift the clutch to impart rapid upward traverse movement to the pack supporting frame and the pack thereon by rotation of the chain actuating shafts 25 through the transmission connections 33.

As the skid and pack thereon reach the intended upper limit the skid will engage the bar projection III and mechanically rock the lever I01, I86, I I3 and thereby effect a shifting of the clutch to the neutral position. This skid effected automatic upward rapid traverse control is supplemented by the pack effected control equipment including the cylinder I56 and roller I15. As the pack top attains the desired level for proper cooperation with the sheet gripping and feeding devices, it will engage the roller I15 and force the plunger I58 upwardly so as to effect cross communication between the air pressure lines I64 and IE5 through the cross duct I66 in said plunger. This pressure communication will effect a lifting of the piston I19 and an actuation of the crank I82 effective to shift the clutch to the neutral condition in the manner hereinbefore described.

With the sheet pack thus presented with its top portion in proper cooperative relation with the gripping and feeding units, the sheets are successively lifted on by one from thetop of the pack and presented to the feeding-away equipments hereinbefore referred to. Each time double or superposed sheets are lifted and presented to the feed rollers they are ejected by the ejector mechanism hereinbefore referred to, and, as the level of the pack is lowered, the pack is automatically raised by small increments so as to maintain the desired spaced relation between the sheet gripping and lifting units and the uppermost sheet of the pack. The master valve 41 controls the flow of air through and the evacuation of the lines leading to the gripping units, in a manner described in detail in the parent application Serial No. 334,657 hereinbefore referred to, so that the pressure introduced into the units is effective to force the suction cups against the uppermost sheet as the arms 64 reach the limit of their swing forwardly or in the sheet receiving direction. The gripper cups are evacuated at the time they contact the sheet and the pressure effective to present the cups is released just after the suction gripping of the sheet has been effected so that the cups are lifted to the positions illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings.

The cups of the units 12 at the front corners of the sheets are lifted and lowered only, and the units are not movable in the sheet presenting or feeding direction. 'The suction geipping action of these cups is discontinued immediately after gripping of the front end of the sheet has been effected, and, as previously stated, the sheet corners are turned upwardly, as indicated in Figure 1, so that the air blasts delivered through the nozzles 80, 8| will serve to overcome any tendency of the underlying sheet to adhere to and be lifted with the uppermost sheet. As the arms 64 are swung forwardly, the units 68 present the rear edge of the lifted sheet between the feeder rolls, which are separated in the manner hereinbefore described at the moment at which the presentation is effected, and are thereafter permitted to move together so that the feeding of the sheet out of the machine can be effected. During the rearward movement of the units 68, the intermediate units generally designated $9 swing rearwardly with the gripped sheet and serve to hold it elevated out of contact with the underlying sheet, thereby preventing dragging and scratching of the sheets. The suction within the cups of the units 68 and 69 is released just before the arms 64 start their return swing and after the feeder rollers have gripped the presented end of the sheet.

This individual feeding of sheets continues, and each time the top level of the pack falls below the predetermined level the circuit I53, effec tive to energize the solenoid I35, is energized by a lowering of the plunger HI and the rod I28 is lifted to cause the pawl i25 which is being constantly oscillated to engage and impart increments of movement to the ratchet wheel 21 effective to again lift the pack to the desired elevation. When this desired elevation is attained the circuit I53 will be again broken by lifting of the plunger MI in the manner hereinbefore described.

Whenever the sheet pack has been reduced to approximately two inches in height, a pack supporting fork I83 is slipped under the pack through openings provided for that purpose in the skid and will serve to temporarily support the remaining sheets of the pack while the supporting frame is being lowered to receive a new skid and pack supply. The rear endof thefork I83 rests upon the rear wall 28, and the front end thereof is supported upon brackets I84 secured to and projecting from the frame standards 51.

By now moving the rod I38 downwardly by actuation of the hand crank I43, the operator can disconnect the pawl I25 and render ineffective the solenoid I35 and the control equipments therefor in the manner hereinbefore described, and also actuate the switch I48 for energizing the motor circuit and starting operation of the motor 84. By now shifting one of the control levers I88 to the right, as viewed in Figure -1'of the drawings, the clutch can be, set to effect a rapid traverse movement downwardly of the pack supporting frame. As the frame reaches its lower limit the skid 'will engage the bottom lug I'I'2 on the bar I89 and shift the lever I01, I86 to again shift the clutch to the neutral position,

thereby discontinuing downward movement of the supporting chains I3. After a new pack has been mounted on the support the control devices can be actuated to lift the pack to theproper elevation in the manner hereinbefore described.

The master valve 41 is illustrated and described in detail in parent application Serial No. 334,657,

, together with all connections thereof with the suction and pressure air sources and need not be described in detail herein since it forms no part of the invention herein claimed. The same is true of the separate valve which controls the flow of pressure air to the winding nozzles. This separate valve is 'generally designated I85, is mounted at 486 on the cross frame member 2|, and is actuated in timed relation to the sheet feeding devices by cams I81 mounted on the cam shaft 32. See Figures 1 and 5. As is described 6 aac'aado tumable, as described in said parent applica- 10 tion, from an active position, in which it opens communications between the master valve 41 and the suction source, to an inactive position in which it closes 05 said suction source communication and bleeds the valve to atmosphere. The

valve shaft I95 also carries a hand crank I99 which is'held in its elevated or active position, or in a lowered inactive position by a spring detent I91.

The crank lever I99 is connected by a'slotted go link I98 with an extension from the crank member 69 which is actuated by the forwarding cam 43 for imparting sheet presenting movement to the arm 64 and the gripper units 98 carried thereby. It will be observed that the slot in the link I98 will permit normal operation of the crank 98, but when the lever I96 is swung downwardly the link I98 will lift the roller 9| out of contact with the cam 43 for silencing the sheet grippers and discontinuing the sheet forwarding so operation. This movement of the lever also shifts the rotary pilot valve to its cut oil position, and, through the medium of the crank and link connections I94, I93 and I92, the shaft I99 is rocked to move the cam I98 to the position for rendering the valve I85 ineffective and cutting off pressure communication with the wind ing devices.

This manipulation of ,the pilot valve cuts off both the pressure air and the vacuum supply, 49

and stops the feeding of sheets without stopping the machinen By this manipulation of the pilot valve the pressure chamber in the master valve I1 is suitably bled so that the grippers will not tend to partially operate on the next cycle.

It is of course to be understood that the details of structure and arrangement of parts may be variously changed and modified without departingI from the spirit and scope of my invention.

c aim:

. 50 1. In a machine of the character described.

means for supporting a pack of sheets horizontally beneath a sheet lifting and presenting means, means for imparting intermittent in crements of pack lifting movement to said supporting means to maintain the pack at a predetermined level, and means for imparting rapid traverse movements to the supporting means during initial placement and replacement of sheet packs and including a driving motor, a

' reversible clutch, pack controlled means for controlling the operation of the increment movement imparting means, means for shifting the clutch to operative and inoperative positions, and means associated with said pack controlledmeans for positively locking the clutch shifting means against shifting movement whenever the increment movement imparting means is in operation.

2. In a machine of the character described,

sheet pack supporting means for supporting a sheet pack while sheets are being fed one by one therefrom, rapid traverse means for moving the supporting means during initial placement and replacement of the pack, means for auto- 7 matically moving the pack toward the feeding means through small increments as sheets are successively fed from the pack, and pack con-.

trolled means for positively locking the rapid traverse means against functioning while the increment movement imparting means is functionins.

sheet pack supporting means for supporting a sheet pack while sheets are being fed one by one therefrom, a pair of shafts disposed in parallel relation and having sprockets thereon, chains depending from the sprockets and secured to said supporting means, a cross shaft having worm gear and worm wheel connections at its respective ends with said parallel shafts, a ratchet means for controlling engagement of the pawl with and disengagement of the same from the ratchet and means associated with the pack controlled means for locking the rapid transverse movement imparting means against movement when the pawl is in engagement with the ratchet wheel.

4, In a machine of the character described,

sheet pack supporting means for supporting a sheet pack while sheets are being fed one by one therefrom, means including a motor and a .power circuit therefor for imparting rapid traverse movements to the supporting means during initial placement and replacement of the pack, means including a ratchet and pawl for automaticaly moving the pack toward the feeding means through small increments as sheets are successively fed from the pack, and means movable to energize the motor circuit and connected with said pawl so as to move the pawl to an inoperative position whenever the motor is energized.

5. In a machine of the character described, sheet pack supporting means for supporting a sheet pack while sheets are being fed one by one therefrom, means including a motor'and a power circuit therefor for imparting rapid traverse movements to the supporting means during initial placement and replacement of the pack, means including a ratchet and pawl for automatically moving the pack toward the feeding means through small increments as sheets are successively fed from the pack, means movable to energize the motor circuit and connected with said pawl so as to move the pawl to an intraverse movement imparting means in one direction or another, manually operable means for shifting the clutch, and means locking the shifting means against movement whenever the pawl is in operative position and releasable upon movement of the pawl to its inoperative position for freeing said shifting means.

6. In a machine of the character described, sheet pack supporting means for supporting a sheet pack while sheets are being fed one by one therefrom, means including a motor and a power 3.- a machine of the character described,

circuit therefor for imparting rapid traverse movements to the supporting means during initial placement and replacement of the pack, means including pack engaged switch and a control circuit for automatically moving the pack toward the feeding means through small increments as sheets are successively fed from the pack, and manually operable means for simultaneously making or completing the motor circuit and breaking the control circuit.

7. In a machine of the character described, sheet pack supporting means for supporting a sheet pack while sheets are being fed one by one therefrom, means including a ratchet and pawl for lifting the pack support through small increments as sheets are fed from the pack, and a solenoid connected with the pawl and with a control circuit including a switch which is closed each time the pack is lowered to a predetermined elevation to energize the solenoid and place the pawl in driving contact with the ratchet.

8. In a machine of the character described, sheet pack supporting means for supporting a sheet pack while sheets are being fed one by one therefrom, means including a ratchet and pawl for lifting the pack support through small increments as sheets are fed from the pack, and a solenoid connected with the pawl and with a control circuit including a switch which is closed each time the pack is lowered to a predetermined elevation to energize the solenoid and place the pawl in driving contact with the ratchet, means including a motor and a power circuit therefor for imparting rapid traverse movements to the supporting means during initial placement and replacement of the pack, said rapid traverse movement imparting meansalso including a reversible clutch associated with the motor for driving the rapid traverse movement imparting means in one direction or another, manually operable means for shifting the clutch, and means locking the shifting means against movement whenever the pawl is in operative position and releasable upon movement of the pawl to its inoperative position for freeing said shifting means.

9. In a machine of the character described, sheet pack supporting means for supporting a sheet pack while sheets are being fed one by one therefrom, means including a ratchet and pawl for lifting the pack support through small increments as sheets are fed from the pack, and a solenoidconnected with the pawl and with a control circuit including a switch which is closed each time the pack is lowered to a predetermined elevation to energize the solenoid and place the pawl in driving contact with the ratchet, means including a motor and a power circuit therefor for imparting rapid traverse movements to the supporting means during initial placement and replacement of the pack, said rapid traverse movement imparting means also including a reversible clutch associated with the motor for driving the rapid traverse movement imparting means in one direction or another, manually operable means for shifting the clutch, and means locking the shifting means against movement whenever the pawl is in operative position and releasable upon movement of the pawl to its inoperative position for freeing said shifting means, and means movable to energize the motor circuit and simultaneously break the control circuit and connected with said pawl so as to move the pawl to an inoperative position whenever the motor is energized.

is energized.

10. In a machine of the character described, sheet pack supporting means for supporting a sheet pack while sheets are being fed one by one therefrom, means including a ratchet and pawl for lifting the pack support through small increments as sheets are fed from the pack, and a solenoid connected with the pawl and with a control circuit including a switch which is closed each time the pack is lowered to a predetermined elevation to energize the ,solenoid and place the pawl in driving contact with the ratchet, means including a motor and a power circuit therefor for imparting rapid traverse movements to thesupporting means during initial placement and replacement of the pack, and means movable to energize the motor circuit and simultaneously break the control circuit and connected with said pawl so as to move the pawl to an inoperative position'whenever the motor 11. In a machine of the character described, a sheet pack support for supporting a sheet pack while sheets are being fed one by one therefrom, means for elevating the pack as sheets are fed therefrom, means including a shiftable clutch for imparting rapid traverse movement to the support upwardly or downwardly during the initial placement or the replacementof the pack,

means for manually shifting the clutch to initiate traverse movement in either direction, and means for automatically shifting the clutch to neutral when the support reaches a predetermined position in its travel in either direction.

12. In a machine of the character described, a sheet pack support for supporting a sheet pack while sheets are being fed one by one therefrom, means for elevating the pack as sheets are fed therefrom, means including a shiftable clutch for imparting rapid traverse movement to the support upwardly or downwardly during the initial placement or the replacement of the pack, means for manually shifting the clutch to initiate traverse movement in either direction,

and means engaged by the support means for automatically shifting the clutch to neutral when the support reaches a predetermined position in its travel in eitherdirection.

13. In a machine of the character described,

fed therefrom, means including a shiftable clutch for imparting rapid traverse movement to the support upwardly or downwardly during the initial movement or the replacement of the pack, means for manually shifting the clutch to initiate traverse movement in either direction, means actuated by support engagement for automatically shifting the clutch to neutral when the support reaches a predetermined position in its downward travel, and means actuated by engagement of the top of the pack for automatically shifting the clutch to neutral when the pack reaches a predetermined position in its upward travel.

14. In a machine of the character described, a sheet pack support for supporting a sheet pack while sheets are being fed one by one therefrom, means for elevating the pack as sheets fluid pressure operable means actuated by engagement of the top of the pack ior automatically shifting the clutchto neutral when the pack reaches a predetermined position in its upward travel.

15. Ina machine of the character described wherein is provided a pack support, means including an energized power circuit for lifting the support by small increments of movement as sheets are fed successively oi! the top of the pack, and means for imparting rapid traverse movements to the support during initial placement or replacement of packs and including a'clutch manually actuated for initiating movement upwardly or downwardly, control means actuated by upward engagement by the pack being elevated and comprising a plunger structure, means actuated upon limited upward movement of the plunger structure for breaking the energized power circuit, and means actuated by a greater upward movement of the plunger structure for shifting the clutch into neutral.

cylinder and piston structure, a stationary bracket having -a vertical'plimger bore and a fluid pressure duct traversing the bore and connected with a source of pressure and with said cylinder and piston structure, said plunger having a cross bore normally disposed below and out of registry with said duct, a bracket carried by said bore, a second plunger having limited vertical movement in the plunger bracket and disposed for engagement by the top otapack of sheets on said support, a normally closed switch connected in said power circuit and actuated each time the second plunger is lifted a predetermined amount to break said circuit, said second plunger, the plunger bracket and the plunger being moved vertically at the conclusion I of each upward rapid traverse to cause the cross 16. In a machine of the character described wherein is provided a pack support, means including an energized power circuit for lifting the support by small increments of movement as sheets are fed successively on the top 01 the pack, and means for imparting rapid traverse movements to the support during initial placement or replacement of packs and including a clutch manually actuated for initiating movement upwardly or downwardly, control means actuated by upward engagement by the pack being elevated and comprising a clutch shitting bore and duct to register and the piston to effect a shifting of the clutch to'neutral.

17. In a machine of the character described, means for supporting a pack of sheets, means for imparting intermittent increments of vertical movement to said supporting means, and means for imparting-rapid transverse movements to the supporting means and including gear mechanisms, a motor operated in one direction only for drivingsaid gear mechanisms, a pair of clutches tor selectively connecting the gear mechanisms with the supporting means, and means for automatically shifting the clutches to neutral at each upper and lower limit or the supporting means movement.

PAUL E. PEARSON. 

